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Premier League: Manchester United 4 Everton 4

Manchester United dropped two points in the Premier League title race in an unbelievable 4-4 draw against Everton at Old Trafford.

Everton took the lead through Nikica Jelavic after 33 minutes before Wayne Rooney equalised four minutes before the break.

But in the second half, six goals shared equally ensured that United left the ground disappointed, having led 4-2 with seven minutes to play.

Paul Scholes had an effort in the 16th minute from distance, but Tim Howard saw it wide before the visitors had a dangerous counterattack, but Rio Ferdinand did well to clear the danger.

Former United man Darron Gibson had a shot from distance soon after the half-hour mark, but again keeper David de Gea went untested as it screwed wide.

Everton took the lead when Tony Hibbert put in a deep cross from the right wing, and Jelavic headed the ball perfectly over De Gea and into the far corner.

Jelavic became the first player to score a league goal against the Spaniard since Jermain Defoe netted for Tottenham in United's 3-1 win on March 4.

United were level in the 41st minute.

Nani whipped in a devilish ball from the left wing that just passed over the head of former United player Phil Neville, and Wayne Rooney nodded the ball home from six yards out past Howard.

Rooney moved joint fourth in United's all-time goalscoring list, level with Dennis Violett and George Best on 179 goals.

After the restart, Everton quickly fell two goals down thanks to some wonderful attacking play from the hosts.

United took the lead in the 57th minute through slightly controversial circumstances.

Steven Pienaar had gone down with an injury to his midriff, but referee Mike Jones let play go on, contrary to a situation in the first half when Everton were on the attack and the play was brought back due to an injury for Jonny Evans.

But as play significantly progressed, the ball fell to Nani, who found Welbeck on the edge of the area. The striker dummied a shot to make space for himself and curled a wonderful shot into the top corner.

Four minutes later United extended their lead.

After some good passing involving Valencia and Carrick among others, the central midfielder found Welbeck in the box and the striker flicked the ball into the path of the on-rushing Nani, who took a touch before dinking the ball over Howard.

Everton were straight back in it though, as Mourane Fellaini volleyed home from another Hibbert cross in the 67th minute, with some very suspect marking on show from United's central pairing of Evans and Ferdinand.

But two minutes later United extended their lead again.

Valencia aimed a pass in towards Danny Welbeck, and the striker stepped over the ball, bewildering Jonny Heitinga and beating him for pace as he let the ball roll to Rooney.

The Liverpudlian played a pass in behind for his strike partner to latch onto, and the ball was then squared for Rooney to notch his 26th Premier League goal of the season, taking him one goal behind Robin van Persie in the race for the golden boot.

But the game wasn't quite over. Evra almost made sure of the victory when his diving header hit the post, but Everton incredibly drew level with two goals in as many minutes.

A ball hoisted into the area by Neville wasn't dealt with by Ferdinand and Evans, and it fell to Jelavic who volleyed past De Gea, with the keeper again standing no chance.

And straight away Everton were on the attack, with Neville again finding Fellaini in the box, this time into feet. The Belgian managed to turn and find the unbelievably unmarked Pienaar at the front post to poke the ball past De Gea.